News

Breck Upper School students Joseph Purvis ‘21, Ayres Warren ‘22 and Maddie McDermott ‘22 share their experience interviewing Leslie Redmond, a local community organizer and former President of the Minneapolis NAACP. They also share their excitement for the MLK Symposium and Amplify Our Love with Pie events happening at Breck this upcoming week. Ms. Redmond will be the Upper School keynote speaker for the our 20th annual MLK Symposium.

On Sunday, January 17th, Breck will co-host Sweet Potato Comfort Pie’s seventh annual MLK Holiday event: Amplify Our Love with Pie, to honor the 92nd birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breck student, Kai Miller ‘22, has been working behind the scenes to get ready for the event. The communications team at Breck did a brief interview with Kai to ask about her experience working on the event.

Natalia Rico Hernández, Ed.D., Head of School, updates the Breck community on the School's response to Wednesday's events.

After an inclusive and comprehensive search process that elicited outstanding national and international candidates, Breck is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Troy Baker as our next Upper School Director. Dr. Baker will join Breck starting July 1, 2021.

The Performing Arts Department has been hard at work creating ways to showcase what they have learned fall semester. We hope that you take time over the Winter Break to watch, listen, and enjoy what the performing arts students have accomplished.

Four class of 2020 Breck graduates were featured by KSTP 5 News for their work with UnitedHealth Group on the Well At Home kit.

Artist Brooks Turner '08 tells us about his journey after graduating from Breck. His new exhibition, "Legends and Myths of Ancient Minnesota," opened on Oct. 25 at the Weisman Art Museum on the U of M Twin Cities Campus. 

This year for the first time, Breck’s Annual Giving Committee has three extraordinary students join us as volunteers. We are thrilled to welcome Josh Furman, Sahana Mangipudi, and McKenna Quam, all members of the class of 2021, to the team!  

We hope you found the articles and interviews shared by Native American members of the Breck community insightful this month and that as a community we all learned more about Indigeneity. Our last highlight of Native American Heritage Month is an interview with the Sixkiller family. We are thankful for them and for their continued engagement in the Breck community! 

During the month of November, we are introducing you to Native American families who are part of the Breck community. You can learn more about Indigeneity during our weekly updates throughout the month of November, which is Native American Heritage Month. This week’s spotlight is on the Goze families.

When we talk about extinction, one of the questions we always ask is, "What animals went extinct?" But it is equally important to ask "What ones survived?" We need to ask better questions! If we are going to understand extinction, we need to understand it in a comprehensive way.

Breck Theatre Department has been hard at work on the fall theatre production, She Kills Monsters. We caught up with cast members to answer some questions about the production. 

Thanksgiving is a national holiday, deeply embedded into our culture and national identity. Practices of gratitude paired with family gatherings make for an important time and space for connection and meaning.

Breck Theatre Department has been hard at work on the fall theatre production, She Kills Monsters. We caught up with cast members and the director to answer some questions about the production. 

Breck Lower School students are on a mission to sort and recycle.

Each week through the month of November we are providing information and resources in recognition of Native American Heritage Month.

We sat down with Breck student-athlete Keya Hunt '22 to ask her some questions for the November Meet a Mustang feature.

Breck recognizes the month of November as Native American Heritage Month.

Students in our Upper School American Elections interdisciplinary course spent the day diving into the issues and races across Minnesota ahead of tomorrow's Presidential election.

Congratulations to Breck's National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists and Commended Scholars!

Help us support Every Meal (formerly The Sheridan Story) by joining our October Read-a-thon. Read on for the rest of the story!

Breck sophomore Alden Keller took first in the boys IMAC cross-country meet — and eighth grader Esme Gulbranson placed third. Congratulations to the individuals and the teams!

Here they are — the 2020 Homecoming Court! Coronation will be live-streamed on Friday, Oct. 2, at 2pm. We hope you'll join us!

John Cardwell '21 turned his interest in 3D printing to help print mini doc cams for teachers to use in their classrooms.

Breck student Caroline Pirtle ‘22, the Breck BBB Mountain Bike Club leader and racer for the BBB NICA Mountain Bike Team finished up her fourth race of the MN High School Cycling League mountain bike season

Upper School students explored Breck's Club Fair the past two Wednesdays.

Important dates for the 2020-2021 school year.

We're challenging Breck families to join us for a Summer Read-a-thon during the month of July. Proceeds benefit The Sheridan Story. 

A message from the Head of School.

Learn more about the struggles of the Navajo Nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how Breck students are stepping in to provide vital resources and support to those impacted.

An important voice in the leadership of the school is that of students. Next year's student leadership councils were recently voted on by the Upper School community. As we say farewell to the 2019-2020 academic year and look ahead to 2020, we also welcome in the below members of the student body into leadership positions.

The Presidential Service Award is a nationally recognized award given to outstanding individuals who dedicate considerable time over the course of a year to help their communities

The Upper School Closing ceremony recognizes the students across academic departments that have earned recognition for their personal growth and achievements. 

This morning, we held an online award ceremony presenting teaching excellence awards to several faculty. Additionally, we celebrated those with 10, 20, and 30 years of service, and we wished our retirees all the best! 

As part of her end-of-year science project, Sara Ali '27 wrote this article about habitat loss and our environment. 

This year’s alumni Commencement speakers are Brittney (Faber) Oberrender and Will Oberrender, a married couple who graduated from Breck in 2009. They agreed to be interviewed for our Breck Bulletin alumni highlight in preparation for speaking to the Class of 2020.

Learn more about the struggles of the Navajo Nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how Breck students are stepping in to provide vital resources and support to those impacted.

Our 5th grade science students explored ways they might change the world in their final project for the year.  Read more and see how another student learned how to find creative solutions despite our distance.

Our innovative performing arts department found a way to host a concert. Presenting the 2020 Virtual Coffeehouse Concerts – in Middle School and Upper School editions.

Congratulations to Sahana Mangipudi '21 on her first place recognition in the Minneapolis Federal Reserve high school essay contest

Our Middle School Health Students found creative ways to stay healthy this summer and have shared their ideas in their latest class.

Middle School Science Students explore ways they can change the world - virtually!

Breck's Executive Chef Liz Raygor shared a recipe for Ground Bison Meatballs. They look A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Bring on the weekend and let's get cooking! 

Each week we spend time connecting with members of our alumni community. This week we hear from Sahar Hakim-Hashemi '09.

Breck Trustee Sharon Ryan shares how her own college graduation was cancelled suddenly and unexpectedly. And how our students will have a memory — a unique memory.

Sahaha Mangipudi '21 was one of 30 finalists in the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis 32nd Annual Student Essay Contest.

Congratulations to the Breck students who have been recognized as Minnesota Scholars of Distinction in Science, Social Studies, and STEM. 

The Breck Parents Association welcomed the 2020-2021 Board at their recent meeting.

Each week we connect with members of our alumni community. This week, we caught up with Michael Mooney '10.

Upper School English teacher Katherine Raths worked to find opportunities to explore these themes with her students — made more challenging while remote learning,. Raths, who is also a law student at Mitchell Hamline College of Law, invited one of her professors to speak to Grade 9 students.

Sahana Mangipudi '21 was awarded the State Honorable Mention and Caroline Pirtle '22 received a Rising Star award.

Alexis '23 is a talented musician and motivated student and was recently notified of her selection into a highly selective NYU Steinhardt School Summer Songwriting Workshop

Members of the Breck Robotics team print face shields for emergency workers.

Each week we connect with members of our Alumni community to see what they are up to during the COVID-19 pandemic

Breck fourth grades participate in Operation Gratitude, thanking emergency responders and other helpers for their work.

Breck is collecting graduation gowns for Gowns4Good, an organization that distributes them for health care workers who will use them as PPE. When? Saturday, May 9, between 10am and 2pm. 

Each week we reconnect with a member of our alumni community.

Breck alumnus Dr. Christopher Murray is leading a team of scientists that are developing COVID-19 forecasts. 

Chefs John Chestnut and Liz Raygor, Breck's Flik Dining Services colleagues, will be sharing recipes and healthy eating ideas with us each week! This week, Revved-Up Marinara. Enjoy!

Alumna Jamie Erdahl '07 was interviewed by Chris Ohm during Monday's Mustang Minute Live. 

Students in the Junior Dance Repertory came together for their first virtual performance this week. 

Each week we celebrate and connect with our alumni community. This week, we caught up with Sam Putnam '19 who is a current student at USC. Read on to hear how he is adjusting to life after Breck

More advanced science research team news! Seniors James Clinton and Nathan Rockafellow qualified for the National JSHS Symposium.

Amrita '22 shares an original song she composed during distance learning.

Our Breck Service Council shares ways you can volunteer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quinn '29 shares with us a sample of a project she completed as part of distance learning. Hear more from her as she reports "live" from the Animal Humane Society.

The team presented their research: Testing the Waters: Engineering an innovative method of water health analysis.

We caught up with Breck alum Liam O'Hagan '04 who told us what he's been up to — college, sports, career, life in China, and living through his second global crisis. 

Senior Rachel Gunderson shares her thoughts on Distance Learning, leadership, and life as a senior in the times of COVID-19.

Due to COVID-19, our faculty and staff pulled together resources to donate to medical personnel who are doing critical work for our community. We are proud to support their work and donate to the cause!

Abigail and Samantha's advanced science research project, "Searching the Shadows" advanced to the International Science and Engineering Fair.

The Breck-Blake Boys Swim & Dive team are your 2020 Class A Boys Swim & Dive State Champions!

The Wolves advanced to the worldwide competition held in Detroit, MI.

The Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards (MSAA) have been announced for 2020 and Breck visual art students are well represented. We've listed our MSAA artists alphabetically below. Congratulations to our Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention award recipients.

Congratulations to Breck's Athena Award recipient, senior Olivia Mobley!

Breck School is pleased to announce Leah Hernandez as our guest speaker for our MLK Day Chapel on Tuesday, January 21, at 8:30 AM. All are welcome!

Breck's Chess Teams competed at the Winter Grade-Level Chess Tourney on 12/7. Read more for complete tourney results.

Congratulations to Breck's Middle School FIRST Lego League teams that competed in the Chippewa Regional Tournament. All three teams won team awards. 

Congratulations to Breck Girls Soccer Senior Captain Kaitlyn MacBean on being named the 2019 Ms. Soccer! Kaitlyn is headed to Penn State next year to continue her soccer career! Go Mustangs!

Ansel Smith '20 and James Hicks '23 were selected to participate in the St. Thomas Honor Band Festival.

Just a few shows remain of this amazing performance featuring one of our very own Mustangs!

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced that Minneapolis will host the 2020 Paralympic Trials for Team USA this June. Breck School has been named host of the Track & Field events.

Congratulations to Upper School English Teacher Dallas Crow on his recent publication in the Molecule Literary Magazine.

Congratulations to Upper School English Teacher Emily Brisse on her publication in the Washington Post.

Congratulations to Emre Adabag, Margaret Broyles, Andrew Cheng, James Clinton, Samantha Detor, Gunnar Evenstad, Ekemini Jones, Grace Medeiros, Sam Schoenecker, Dylan Vincent, and Niels Wu, who were named National Merit Semifinalists by the College Board.

Beth Gaffga returns to Breck as our new Middle School English Teacher. 

Get to know Mark Garrison, Breck's new Chief Information Officer.

Help us welcome Carla Davies-Vue, Breck's new Upper School Counselor — and current Breck parent.

Breck welcomes Susan Cossette, Breck's new Annual Giving Director, who joined the Advancement Team this summer.

Capture that first day of school with handy printable signs for your child's big day. Signs for preschool-grade 12 are available here.

Welcome to Gargi Bajpai, Breck's new Middle School math instructor and parent to two Breck Lower School students.

Boatemaa Agyeman-Menah '19 selected to serve on MN Youth Council.

Welcome to Jeremy Kes, Breck's new Middle School science instructor!

We're excited to welcome Amy Dornbach (Kindergarten Assistant) back to Breck. Ms. Dornbach, who taught at Breck several years ago, graduated from The College of St. Benedict with a B.A. in Education.

Welcome new faculty member Sheila Willson, who will be teaching Preschool at Breck.

We’re delighted to welcome Jayme Simon as our new Middle School Health Instructor.

We are pleased to welcome [back] to Breck Mr. John Swallen as a Lower School Teaching Assistant. 

Join us as we spend the summer reading with #BreckReads!

Middle School officially closed the year with a ceremony in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on June 3. Memories were shared, awards were presented, and 8th grade speeches were given. Read more...

The boys tennis team is Section 2A champions and will move on to play at the Class A State Tournament at Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center. Their first match is on Tuesday, June 4, at 2pm versus Pine City. Here's a link to the Class A team bracket. The individual qualifying matches are being played today (5/24) and Tuesday, 5/28. Congratulations, Mustangs!

Breck faculty/staff were recognized at an All-School Chapel on May 7 — Staff Appreciation Day.

Gaby Hernández '19 and Deirdre O'Neill '19 were recognized in this year's Minnesota Supreme Court Essay Contest. Both students were members of this year's Advanced History Research class studying race and place in the Twin Cities.

Please welcome Mark Garrison as Breck's new Chief Information Officer.

Three Breck students were among 44 young women to be recognized by the Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Awards Committee earlier this week.

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Heidi J. Kim as the next Director of the Melrose Center for Servant Leadership, as of July 1, 2019.

Head of School Dr. Natalia Rico Hernández announced three faculty members have been awarded summer grants for study and travel. Congratulations to Lisa Hunninghake, Paul Slack, and Emily Brisse! 

Three of Breck's visual arts students were accepted into this year's National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts K-12 Student Show! This year's show had over 1,100 entries with only 150 piece chosen for the show from all grade levels across the country.

Breck's Advanced Science Research Students advanced to national competitions after this weekend's Junior Science and Humanities Symposium and State Science Fair.

At Breck, students of all ages have the opportunity to lead clubs, join committees working on special initiatives, and be a member of student councils. Each opportunity offers students a great deal of influence on shaping the culture and climate of the school but also involves a significant amount of risk as being a leader among their peers.

Breck is pleased to announce that this year’s Athena Award winner is senior Saylor Hawkins. Saylor has been a three-sport athlete each year since she was in seventh grade and this year she is playing four sports.

The 2019 Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards were recently announced by the Art Educators of Minnesota. Breck students were honored with 76 awards, including Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention.

The Breck/Blake boys swim & dive team claimed the first-place trophy at the Class A Swim & Dive State Meet — for the third consecutive year

Introducing your second place Mock Trial team in the STATE! 135 teams competed in Mock Trial this year, 16 of which participated in the State Tournament today in Duluth.

Congratulations to Breck seventh grader Noah who qualified for the State GeoBee! Noah is a state semifinalist, placing in the top 100 in Minnesota. He'll compete at the State GeoBee on March 29.

Breck's Advanced Science Research (ASR) students participated in the Twin Cities' Regional Science Fair on March 1-2. A total of 21 Breck students received special recognition awards.

After advancing through regional competitions, the Wolves 5th grade FIRST LEGO League Robotics Team had an incredible showing at the state tournament! 

Breck is pleased to announce that Middle School Spanish Instructor Óscar Diaz-Zavala has been selected for sabbatical for the 2019-20 school year.

Breck Summer Programs registration is officially open. Register today!

Dr. Daisy Pellant, Director of the Peter Clark Center for Mind, Brain, and Education and Sarah Flotten '85, Center Coordinator, were selected as featured speakers at the Summit for Transformative Learning in St. Louis, MO.

Congratulations to all our finalists in this year's National Geographic Geography Bee!

Two of five Breck's FIRST LEGO League robotics teams competed at the sectional tournament where one team advanced to the State meet.

Students in grades preschool through 12th grade joined together for an All-School Read-In January 8 in preparation for Breck's Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium on January 22.

Middle School Students compete in spelling bee competition.

Breck School students participated in their largest food donation drive of the year throughout the week of Halloween, collecting more than 11,000 lbs of non-perishable food items for local non-profits.

Michal Sagar, Breck's Visual Arts Department Head, will debut her newest exhibit, A Fertile Emptiness, at the Form+Content Gallery beginning December 1.

Dr. Eboo Patel will visit Breck as we explore the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The American Elections course has created three websites covering both the Minnesota and national races.

Upper School English Instructor Trevor Thornton's short story was recently published in the Santa Fe Literary Review.

Nine Breck seniors earned the recognition as commended students in the 2019 National Merit Program.

After receiving a summer grant to document the U.S.-Canada border, Upper School English Instructor Dallas Crow will premier his newest photography exhibit, The Other Border.

Five Breck seniors were named National Merit Semifinalists in this year's competition. Congratulations to Jacob Johnson, Lucia Miller, Thomas Peterson, Samuel Putnam, and Lana Trautman!

The Breck Alumni Association will welcome four new members to the Athletic Hall of Fame during a ceremony as part of Homecoming week on September 20.

Malcolm Yearby '20 was selected to be a member of the inaugural International Congress of Youth Voices. After being nominated by a Breck faculty member, he was selected for his commitment to leadership and social justice and passion and eloquence as a writer. 

Enjoy photos from our first day of school on August 27, 2018!

Performing Arts Instructor David Birrow receives the Slam Academy Innovation in Music Education award.

The beginning of the school year not only included the return of students to campus but also welcoming new faculty and staff to our community.

Following their six shows at the Minnesota State Fair, Bato Bato!, Breck's Upper School Marimba ensemble, is scheduled to perform at the Prairie Burn Music Festival in Hudson, WI on Sept 15. 

Breck welcomed students back to campus August 27 to begin the 2018-2019 school year. 

Members of the Golden Valley Police Department met with all Breck staff during this morning's all-school training. 

Thank you for visiting the Breck website! We are excited for the opportunity to share the Breck community with you.